It looks like the long-in-development “Beat the Reaper” is finally going to get made. According to The Tracking Board, the film based on the Josh Bazell novel, which is produced by Leonardo DiCaprio has signed director Gore Verbinksi to helm, and “I, Tonya’s” Sebastian Stan to star.
“Beat the Reaper” tells the story of a young doctor whose life gets turned upside down when a patient recognizes him from his previous life as a hitman. His quiet existence is thrown into chaos as old enemies come to kill him.
Originally conceived as a film that would have DiCaprio in a starring role, the project languished in development hell for years before this current iteration. “Beat the Reaper” is written by the creators of Showtime’s hit show “Billions,” Brian Koppelman and David Levien. Joining DiCaprio as producers are Jennifer Davisson and Julie Yorn.
The film is another exciting project for star Sebastian Stan. After a breakout performance in “I, Tonya,” Stan is fully ready to make a name for himself outside of his role as Bucky Barnes in the Marvel Studios ‘Avengers’ films. He also has a couple non-superhero films on the horizon, starring in filmmaker Karyn Kusama’s upcoming “Destroyer” and “We Have Always Live in the Castle” from director Stacie Passon.
Director Verbinksi’s last project, “A Cure for Wellness” was released last year, but didn’t have the impact on audiences, and at the box office, that the filmmaker had hoped. He was then attached to the “Gambit” film, but as we know, that movie is never going to be made. However, “Beat the Reaper” looks like a perfect project for the director, who hasn’t had a massive hit since the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.
There’s no release date for “Beat the Reaper,” but will hopefully begin production soon.